Reports from Midwest Radio suggested that Mayo players deliberately waited in the players’ tunnel as they prepared to run out to the field in Croke Park in order to clash with Dublin as they emerged from their dressing-room.

Mayo boss Stephen Rochford has defended his side against accusations they sparked a pre-match tunnel row with their Dublin rivals prior to Sunday’s drawn All-Ireland SFC final.

Reports from Midwest Radio suggested Mayo players deliberately waited in the players’ tunnel as they prepared to run out onto the field in Croke Park so they could clash with the Dubs as they emerged from their dressing-room.

Midwest reporter John Casey and commentator Mike Finnerty described the pre-match events they witnessed, claiming that Mayo players waited to confront the Dubs - as well as a clash between Aidan O’Shea and Kevin McManamon.

But Rochford insisted after the game that his men were not in the wrong over any mix-up surrounding the teams leaving their respective dressing-rooms at the same time.

The Mayo boss said: “We were detailed to come out second. Go back and look at what the itinerary was.

“I think we went out a minute after when we were supposed to go out. In case anybody is trying to look into it, [it was] co-incidental. There are no stories behind that.